Chapter 107

Ethan

Fuck. The last thing I need right now is for Fiona to disappear while I’m gone.

“You should have told her where we were going,” my wolf says with an angry rumble while digging his claws into the veil between us.

“I know,” I growl at him. I knew she wasn’t happy with me, so I didn’t want to bother her, but now I regret not speaking with her before I left. Cursing myself, I shift and run toward the Denton’s house desperate for some help and to get back home to Fiona.

“I thought she would trust me when I said Angela and I wouldn’t marry.”

Fiona wasn’t happy when I let her leave the other night, but she had the whole weekend to think. Optimistically, I thought she would mull over the idea that we were going to be alright and that I’d fix things. Instead, she finalized the decision to leave.

“Well, clearly she’s still upset,” my wolf responds, taking in the scents of home and turning toward the soft floral scent that comes from the Denton’s house. “You should’ve let me take control. I could’ve gotten through to her.”

“She was scared and upset. You pawing at her like a horny dog wasn’t going to help anything,” I growl.

He huffs and narrows his eyes, barking, “I have more respect for my mate than that.”

A few pack members, who were probably out for runs, join me, greeting me kindly. They come and go, only staying briefly when I don’t slow or stop for them. The Gammas on duty join me, escorting me through the edges of the pack lands out of respect.

“I know you do, and so do I, but I don’t know what to do if she won’t trust me. I have to find a way to prove myself to her,” I tell him, dodging trees and bushes as I turn into the denser part of my land.

“She needs a guarantee that we won’t leave her, and as soon as you can finalize that you won’t be marrying that she-wolf, the problem will disappear.”

He’s right. That’s been the goal all along, but I have no more time to wait and delay. I’ve had the kid gloves on in order not to hurt anyone’s feelings, but Fiona deserves better. She was selfless enough to tell me that marrying Angela would be better for the pack even as she was hurting. I could smell the fear and devastation that surrounded her as she spoke about not being enough.

I was torn, knowing I should do what’s best for my pack but not wanting to lose her as well. I loved and hated that she already cares for my pack and is thinking about their welfare.

That on it’s own proved how selfless she is, which is an amazing quality that would make her an amazing Luna. Fiona may not be a Lycan, but she’s strong in her own way. She is determined and stands up for what is right, not putting up with people like her ex-husband who hurt others.

Fiona has so many of the qualities of a Luna, I realize.

The Dentons’s house appears in the distance, and I push myself to run faster. My Gammas break off, going back to their posts as I continue on.

She doesn’t know much about my world, but she already knows that my role as an Alpha is important and didn’t want to mess anything up for me. That kindness, the warmth that she shows to everyone around her, is one reason I love her.

The thought makes me stumble to a stop in front of Mr. Denton’s house, and I almost fall over.

My heart lurches in my chest every time I think of her, and when I’m near her, I want nothing more than to touch and hold her. My protective instincts go crazy whether she’s with me or not. I’m always thinking of her, too.

Do I love Fiona?

Something within me settles as the question runs through my mind.

“Alpha!” A female voice calls out, pulling my attention.

Mrs. Denton waves from the porch, following her husband down to the grass where I stand in wolf form.

As soon as we see her, my wolf pushes forward, and I let him take control. He barks happily and darts to her, circling her legs and rubbing against her like a newborn pup does to their mother, which makes her laugh.

She kneels down like she always does to greet him, and my wolf presses his forehead to hers before rubbing against her neck with a soft sigh.

He truly is a big baby when it comes to Mrs. Denton.

“Hello again,” she whispers, running her fingers through the fur of our head. Her touch is calming to my wolf, and honestly, to me too. The lavender scent coming from Mrs. Denton fills my senses and has my wolf taking a deep breath.

It’s a familiar scent, one we’ve smelled many times, but each time we see her, it gets sweeter.

After a minute, she pulls away and stands, giving me space to shift back to my human form.

“Alpha. To what do I owe this pleasure?” Mr. Denton asks, bowing slightly in greeting.

“Could we go inside?”

“Of course,” Mrs. Denton says, taking my hand and leading me in. I remember the first time I met her when I was younger. She was so shy and kept to herself because she was unsure how to act in the presence of Lycans, but now she’s outgoing and doesn’t hesitate to interact with the pack.

“You may already know, but I found my mate,” I start, clasping my hands together.

“Ethan, that’s amazing! Congratulations!” Mrs. Denton shouts, throwing her arms around me. I pause for a moment before returning her hug. Why couldn’t my mother react with this much love and warmth?

Mr. Denton clasps my shoulder and frowns. “We hadn’t heard much other than your parents saying you’ve found an unsuitable mate,” he says.

“Honey,” Mrs. Denton hisses, smacking him.

“That’s why I’m here. I’ve come for advice, and I know you will have an unbiased stance,” I answer. Mr. Denton was always known as the councilman who was fair and just. Hopefully, he can help me form a plan.

We settle in the living room with them sitting on the couch together and me sitting across from them. They wait until I’m seated before they take their seats, holding hands and sitting close. I briefly wonder if Fiona and I will ever be so close, and I hope that soon we can be so open together.

If she doesn’t leave me, that is.

“Fiona is human, and my parents are pushing for me to marry an Alpha daughter. I’ve told them I won’t be with anyone other than Fiona, but they’re pushing me to marry Angela from the Midnight Pack. Threats of pack alliances being broken are at stake, but I don’t want to lose my mate,” I explain, watching for any tells of emotion on their faces.

“As someone who is mated to a human, a former council member, and a wise elder, I wanted to come to you on how to proceed. Should I break pack ties to stay with my mate or should I placate my parents?” I ask.

Mrs. Denton gasps, turning to her husband and waiting for his answer just like me. Mr. Denton hums and I notice the small squeeze he gives his mate’s hand.

“There is nothing wrong with mating a human, even as an Alpha. People may be upset at first, like they were with me and Beth, but they’ll come around once they get used to your mate,” Mr. Denton answers, leaning in and settling his elbows on his knees. “There could be some awkward tension at first, but if you help your mate through it, there won’t be any problems.”

Mrs. Denton cuts in, asking, “What does your mate think of it?”

“Fiona told me to marry Angela so the pack wouldn’t be negatively impacted,” I mutter, scrubbing a hand over my face, “But I know she doesn’t truly mean it. She’s hurt and confused. Ryan told me she’s trying to leave.”

“Then what are you doing here?” Mr. Denton asks, standing. “She is the most important thing, and if you let her slip away, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life, Ethan Montgomery!”

The use of my name temporarily shocks me as I stand too.

“What about—”

“Forget what everyone else thinks. Who gave you this mate?”

“The Moon Goddess,” I answer.

“Are your parents, the council, pack elders, or even the King higher than she?” He questions, raising a brow.

Again, I shake my head, “No.”

“No. They aren’t,” he agrees. Mrs. Denton slides her hand into Mr. Denton’s hand and leans into his side. “The mate bond is strong, and if you love each other, everything else will be something you can deal with together. You may have to make sacrifices, and it may take time for everyone to fully accept her, but you can help her transition and earn respect. The Moon Goddess put you two together for a reason, so you will be able to face whatever comes your way.”

Mrs. Denton steps forward, reaching up and cupping my cheek. I lean in so she’s not stretching so far and look into her light blue eyes.

“Can you live without her?” She asks, her brows pulling together in question.

“No.”

“Do you love her?”

Confidently, I answer her, “Yes.”